Portable liquefied gas container



July 4, 1950 R. w. THOMAS 2,514,147

PORTABLE LIQUEFIED GAS CONTQINER Original Filedllay 2, 1941 a Sheet's-Sheet 1 INVENTOR W. THOMAS i q "I" m v R.

A; ORNEYS E July 4, 1950 R. w. THOMAS PORTABLE LIQUEFIED GAS CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR R w. THOMAS v ATTORNEYS Original Filed May 2, 1941 July 4, 1950 R. w. THOMAS PORTABLE LIQUEFIED uAS CONTAINER Original Filed May 2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 |NVENTOR R.W.THOMA-S BYZg ATTORNE s Patented July 4, 1950 OFFICE PORTABLE LIQUIFIED GAS CONTAINER BolsweilW.Tho|na|,BIrfleaville,0kia.,a|l|gnor toPhillipsPeti-oleam Comparmamoraflon of Delaware Original 891,596. Divided 1 This invention relates to the storage and utilization of fluids under pressure. More .particularly it relates to a self-service system for storage and utilization of liquefied gases or gases under high pressures for use in home appliances.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 391,596, filed May 2, 1941. for Self-Service System for Storage and Utilization of Fuel Gases issued as Patent No. 2,354,894 on August 1, 1944.

In recent years there has developed an'increased use of liquefied gases for fuel purposes by consumers living beyond city gas mains. Individual containers of the liquid or gas under pressure, such as petroleum gases, for instance propane and butane or the like, readily vaporizing at normal atmospheric temperatures and pressure are connected to service. lines leading to the consumer's appliances. Then upon adjustment of a control fuel gas is suppliedto the burner as desired. a

Heretofore such units'for storing and dispensing fuel gas have been improved in design rendering them less bulky and more desirable in other ways than the early largeand cumbersome units. These early units satisfactory for industrial uses or large demands proved too heavy and expensive to meet the service requirements of the consumer having a light or home appliance load. Another disadvantage of such units, as far as adapting it for use in small homes, was the requirement of a skilled attendant to connect or disconnect the service equipment. Thse and other defects were remedied as illustrated in applicant's U. S. Patent No. 2,172,310 issued on September 5, 1939.

However, a problem still confronted the industry of devising a still more satisfactory and puma May z, 1941, Serial No.

and this 18, 1944, Serial No. 521,015

3Claiml. (01.63-1) application March 2 I l which will be portable as easy and economical to provide such a system well as compact. safe, operate.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a self-service-system easy to install, which will require little attention between times of replenishing the supply, and being locked in .place, is substantially tamper-proof. A' still further object of the invention is theprovision of a small, preferably spherical container to hang from the bottom of a regulatorbracket assembly suspended therefrom bythe handle of the container.

economical self-service unit susceptible of completeconsumer operation in order to supply a large number of potential consumers having a light or seasonal demand. Such a demand is experienced in areas where there are numerous small houses or cottages, as in summer vacation resorts. I

Applicant has devised a self-service system meeting the requirements of this type of service.

This has been accomplished by greatly simplifyingthe present system in many ways, through redesigning the fuel container and connections as well as the fuse-plug and safety valve.

An object of this invention is to provide a simplified self-service system for the storage and utilization of gaseous fuel.

Another object of applicant's invention is to.

Another and further object of applicant's in-' vention is to provide'a pressure tight assembly with a slip connection between the fuel Jcontainer and thecombined pressurerregulator and mounting bracket, thereby "eliminating the necessity for a manually operated screw threaded connection.

.Another and still further object of this inven-' tion is the provision of a combinationfuse-plughandle bracket and a combined highipressure safety relief valve-handle bracket. 1 Still other objects and advantages of themvention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view of one embodiment of applicant's system partly in elevation and partly in vertical transverse section through thefiuel container, pressure regulator, and mounting bracket-the mounting bracket disclosed as attached to the wall of a building and illustrating details of the connection between the container and the pressure regulator; V

, Figure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section through the fuel container as it is suspended from a pressure regulator by means of the handle and showing details of the combination fuse plug-handle bracket and the combination high pressure safety valvehandle bracket; 7

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the improved connection between the fuel container and the pressure regulator;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a fuel container, fragmentarily shown, and wherein the outlet is sealed by a dust cap as used after the container has been disconnected from the regulator;

Figure 5 is a view of a modified typ of imtainer, regulator, and mounting bracket similar to Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the modified form of container shown in Figure Figure 7 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a fuel container, fragmentarily shown, and wherein the outlet is sealed by a stopp r as for handling, transportation or storage;

Figure 8 is a view of a modified type of improved connector, in vertical transverse section through the connector, with the upper portion of a fuel container fragmentarily shown and the gas inlet of the pressure regulator partly in elevation and partly in vertical section;

Figure 9 is a view of another modification of this invention having the connector and gas inlet conduit of the regulatorin elevation, with the upper portion of a fuel container fragmentarily shown, and hooks having the lower ends of a bail attached are partly in vertical section and partly in elevation; and

Figure 10 is a view of a further'modiiled type of connector in vertical transverse section through the connector, with the upper portion of a fuel container fragm'entarily shown and the gas inlet of the regulator partly in elevation and partly in vertical section. Hooks for the bail having pressure and temperature safety devices therein are shown in elevation.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal, central, crosssectional view through the safety relief valve and associated structure.-

, Referring now particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, a container ii, preferably spherical, for gaseous fuel which may be in the form of liquefied petroleum gases or other fuel under pressure is illustrated. The container may be of any suitable size or capacity but must be adapted to contain fluids under high pressure which when released may be utilized as gaseous fuel. A spherical container is preferred by the applicant due to the simplicity of fabrication and lighter construction, which may be used without sacrificing strength or safety factor, with a resulting lower manufacturing cost. Another feature of this spherical container is that it is constructed, by

stamping or other suitable means, with a concavo-convex bottom 44 bulging upwardly and forming an integral part thereof which presents a flat or horizontal base l'l, Figures 1 and 2, serving to hold the container in an upright position when it is standing in storage or not connected and in use. This construction eliminates the usual supporting base, now required, of the general type shown at I! in Figures 5 and 6, and provides an added safety factor in that if the pressure within the container l5 rises excessively, and there is a failure of the relief valve or fuse plug to function, bottom IE will be forced out of position and into a spherical form aligning with the periphery of the sphere. This will allow further expansion of the gases within the container before it ruptures.

' Centrally of container l5, Figure 1, is a circular aperture l9 and welded thereto or fastened 23 extending from top to bottom, threaded at portion 26 to engage threads on the exterior of valve assembly 21. The lower part of the bore being of reduced diameter at 23 engages body member 23 of the valve assembly 21, External threads at 30 on the upper end of plug 22 are for the purpose of carrying a dust cap 3!, illustrated in Figure 4, which is screwed on after the container is disconnected. Preferably a standard tire valve dust cap is used and serves to protect the valve assembly 21.

In the annular shoulder 24 of plug 22 is a continuous cincular groove 32 adapted to receive a flexible packing ring 33, preferably made of resilient material, such as rubber or any other equally compressible substance which will serve to form a fluid tight seal when pressure is applied. This sealing means prevents leakage between plug 22 and the tubular sleeve 34.

Completing this part of the assembly is the tubular sleeve 34 constructed with a bore in the lower part thereof of sufllcient diameter to allow the sleeve to slip over without engaging the external threads 30 of plug 22. There is no threaded engagement between sleeve 34 and plug 22, see Figure 3, as previously described threads 30 do not engage sleeve 34, but serve only to carry the dust cap 3|. Sleeve 34 seats on packing 33 in groove 32 of shoulder 24 in a sealing engagement when container I! is connected to pressure regulator 43. At the upper end sleeve 34 is externally threaded at 35 to engage threads, not shown, within the collar 36 of pressure regulator 43. Thus the push pin 31 slidably mounted in regulator 43 and adapted to operate within the interior 3. of sleeve 34, may be brought into contact with head 33 of valve assembly 21.

In this way head 33 may be depressed which unseats, that is, opens the valve assembly 21 and allows gas in container I! to flow into regulator 43. In operation head 3! on being depressed forces the stem of the valve assembly downwardly against the action of a coil spring, not shown, within the body of the valve and against the unbalanced pressure of the fluid in the container. Since casing 23 is held stationary by means of the screw threaded engagement at 23 with plug 22, the cap portion 21A of the valve will be uncovered from .the reduced portion 43 permitting the flow of fluid through the interior of valve assembly 21. Thus, it will be seen that when the valve assembly is positioned in tubular plug 22, as shown in Figure 1, such movement of head 39 permits flow from the interior of container l5 through interior passage 25 of plug 22 into passage 38 of sleeve 34 which is attached to collar 36 or regulator 43.

With reference to Figures 2 and 11 of the drawings, container I5 is further provided with a second circular aperture 44 to-which is welded a circular collar 45. This collar is bored throughout and threaded to receive threaded portion 46 of tubular plug 41. A gasket (not shown) assures a pressure tight relationship between the annular shoulder of plug 41' and the edge of aperture 44 of container l5. Plug 41 is centrally bored throughout its entire length and threaded to receive threaded exterior 43 of hook 50 in its upper end. Figure 2 shows hook it having an axial externally threaded tubular spring retainer 53 a atmosphere through tubular retainer 53 and passage II in hook 50. By adjustment of 53 the tension of spring 54 may be controlled to regulate the force with which it assists in maintaining the valve in the closed position. Thus in the event that the pressure within container 15 should rise excessively so as to become dangerous, valve assembly 62 functions as a relief valve. When pressure within the container, exerted on head l1, exceeds the force exerted by spring 54, cap II is unseated from the reduced portion 53, thereby allowing the interior of the container to be vented to the atmosphere through passage 51 in the shank of hook 53 as previously described.

It is to be understood that the valve 21a and its body 29 and valve 55 and its body 56 shown mounted in reversed positions in the central bores of plug 22, Figures 1 and 3, and plug 41 of Figure 11, are substantially identical and interchangeable. These valve assemblies are preferably the usual valve core used in vehicle tires throughout the automotive industry.

A third circular aperture 58 is provided in container l having a circular collar 59 welded thereto and which is centrally bored and threaded to. engage the externally threaded portion 60 of plug it. Annular shoulder 62 of plug Si is seated on gasket 63 forming a pressure tight seal between the edge of aperture 58 and plug 6|.

Plug H is also centrally bored, the lower part being of reduced diameter in relation to the upper part, to receive a standard fusible insert 34 incorporated as an integral part thereof and adapted to yield when the surrounding temperature raises to a predetermined danger point. The upper part of the bore is internally threaded to engage threads 65 on the exterior of the lower end of hook 50A.

Hook 50A is similar in design and construcion to hook 50 and also has an axial passage 66 extending through the shank placing the interior of plug Si in communication with the exterior of container I5. Thus in the event that there is a sumcient rise in temperature to melt the fusible insert 64 the interior of the container will be vented to the atmosphere.

Handle 61 is attached by bails 63 to the hooks 50 and 50A and provides a means for transporting the container ii. In addition, this handle is used to support and hold the container in place when it is connected to pressure regulator 43 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In operation the dust cap 3|, Figure 4, is unscrewed, then as above described, the upper end of plug 22 may be inserted in sleeve 34 of regulator 43, the lower end of which will seat on packing ring 33. Handle 61 is then placed over the top of regulator housing I9 fitting into groove H extending along the top thereof. Hasp l2 hinged at 13 on regulator housing 19 is then placed over handle 61 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and may be locked in place by inserting a padlock through loop 14 in the ordinary manner.

A modification of this locking device is shown in Figures 5 and 6, in that a hasp I5 hinged at I6 with a loop 11 to receive the padlock is placed around the connection between container 18 and regulator 43 so as to include the bails 68 of handle 61. From this it will be seen that once the connection between the container and the regulator is made, and handle I! placed in groove H on the top of regulator housing 10, and the hasp locked in place, it is impossible to remove the fuel container or otherwise tamper with the connection between it and the regulator.

It should be noted in connection with the construction of handle 61 that the bails 68 are of such length that when attached to hooks 59 and 50A and the handle secured on top of the regulator housing. a pressure tight sealing engagement is made between plug 22 and sleeve 34. Packing ring 33 being of resilient material is deformed by the seating of the lower end of sleeve 34, in the annular groove 32, thereby forming a seal in the usual manner.

Pressure regulator 43 is of standard design and construction, preferably of the type illustrated and described in'applicants U. 8. Patent No. 2,212,626, granted August 27, 1940, or may be similar to the one shown in copending patent application, Serial No, 201,581, filed April 12, 1938, by Kenneth R. Lewis, now Patent No. 2,245,485, granted June 10, 1941, with 'the additions of ahinged hasp and groove to receive the handle of the container heretofore described. I A disphragm I9 and push pin 31 are the only interior working elements of the regulator shown. Relief port 86 serves to vent service line 83 if a dangerously high pressure develops therein. The operation of this type of regulator being readily understood by reference to applicant's above patent, it was not believed necessary to further describe it here.

A novel feature of applicant's invention resides in the combination regulator-bracket assembly. Bracket forming an integral part of regulator 43 is fastened by screws 8| to the side of the consumer's house or wall 82. In this way a permanent assembly comprising regulator 43, bracket 80 and service line 83, externally threaded at its upper end 84 to engage thread on the interior of regulator outlet port 85 is maintained. This service line 83 extends to the consumer's gas utilization equipment, not shown in the the drawings, and may thus be rigidly constructed of piping. Elimination in this way of the flexible service line connecting piece, as customarily used in self-service equipment of this type, is one of the objects of this invention, such flexible lines having been found to complicate the construction and use of such equipment as well as increase the cost.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a modification of this invention. A spherical container 18 is shown having a base member l8 annular in shape which serves, as a supporting member and to hold the container in an upright position when it is resting upon a floor or not otherwise connected to the self-service assembly. By way of example,

, this base may be formed from a ring of sheet metal welded to the exterior of the container.

Centrally of this container is a single aperture 88 in which is welded an annular collar 89 bored and internally threaded to receive a valved tap plug 80. This tap plug is of the type and construction disclosed in applicant's U. 8. Patent No. 2,172,311 issued September 5, 1939. It may include a tire core or similar type valve assembly 9| operated by a push pin 92, a fusible metal insert 93, and a safety-relief valve 94. Operation of this valve assembly in conjunction with nipple and handle 96 will be understood by reference to the above patent and for this reason is not more fully described herein.

Handle 99 corresponds to handle H of that patent.

A screw threaded upper portion of nipple 95, engages the internally threaded collar 36 of regulator 43 to complete the connection between fuel container 18 and the regulator and also serves to hold the container in place in respect to the regulator. Handle 61, with the bails 68 attached to the container in any suitable manner, may be suspended over the top of regulator housing and locked in place as previously described herein. However, it will be seen that in this modification handle 61 does not serve to support the weight of the container or to maintain a pressure tight connection between it and the regulator when the system is in operation, due to the use of the threaded connection.

Figure 8 illustrates a modified type of connector for this invention. A container is having an aperture 88 in which is welded an annular collar 89 bored and internally threaded to receive a. valved tap plug 99'. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this tap plug is similar to tap plug'9t of Figure 5. The valve assembly 9| operated by a push pin 92, the fusible metal insert 93, and safety-reliefvalve 94 are identical. Operation and connection of tap plug 99' in conjunction with the tubular sleeve 34 of the regulator is similar to that illustrated in Figure 3. Thus it will be seen that conduit 30' projecting from the upper end of plug 90 may be inserted in sleeve 34 of the regulator and this sleeve extends down into an interior annular groove in plug 90' carrying a flexible packing ring. A sealing enmay be directly welded to the exterior of the container if preferred. I

Figure 10 illustrates another modification of applicant's-invention. Here the-safety devices .8 through plug 99" is made by means of the nipple 95 in conjunction with handle 96.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention, herewith shown and described, are preferred examples of the same and that various modifications may be made therein without materially departing from the spirit of'the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A portable container for self-service systems for storing and dispensing liquefied fuel gas having a substantially spherical body, a gas dispensing outlet secured in said body, a hook attached to said body having an axial passage in the shank thereof and a relief valve in said axial passage, normally closing said passage, a second hook secured to said body having an axial passage in the shank thereof and a fusible metal insert in said'axial passage normally closing said passage, and carrying means attached to said hooks.

2. A portable container for self-service systems storing and dispensing liquefied fuel gas having a gas dispensing outlet secured in the body of the container, a hook attached to the body having mounted within'the hooks 50A shown and described for Figure 2 are used. Container 15.

an axial passage in the shank thereof and a relief valve in the axial passage, normally closing said passage, a second hook attached to the body having an axial passage in the shank thereof, and a fusible metal insert in the axial passage normally closing said passage, and carrying means attached to the hooks.

3. In combination a hemispherical shell adapted to be secured to a similar shell to form a spherical container, a first hook secured to said shell, a pressure relief valve in said hook and controlling communication between the interior of the container and the atmosphere, a second hook secured to said shell, a fusible insert in said second hook and controlling communication between the interior of the container and the atmosphere, a supporting bail secured to said hooks and a valved connection secured to said shell for controlling the gas flow to and from the interior of the container.

ROSSWELL W. THOMAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Thomas Aug. 1, 1944 

